Shimokitazawa Walking Tour (Part 2): Tokyo’s Vintage & Subculture Scene

Shimokitazawa Walking Tour (Part 2): Tokyo’s Vintage & Subculture Scene

You can reach Shimokitazawa Station via the Keio Line from Shibuya or the Odakyu Line from Shinjuku. Part 1 introduced the south side of Shimokitazawa Station, while Part 2 focuses on the north side of the station. Shimokitazawa Senrogai Akichi is an open-air community space featuring a dynamic rotation of food trucks, pop-up markets, and various public events. Sarutahiko Coffee is a specialty coffee shop offering single-origin beans, espresso drinks, hot sandwiches, and ice cream in a stylish setting. 3COINS is a popular Japanese lifestyle store offering a wide
variety of stylish household goods, accessories, and seasonal items, primarily at 300 yen. KALDI is a popular store offering original coffee beans and a wide selection of unique imported foods from around the world. DYLAN is a vintage clothing store offering European vintage wear, leather jackets, and unique accessories, proposing timeless “old and new” styles. Micmo is a vintage clothing store chain offering a wide variety of affordable casual wear and accessories for men and women. Momenya Makino is a fabric shop specializing primarily in cotton, offering a vast selection of textiles
including traditional Japanese patterns. PanconTomate is a long-established Italian restaurant specializing in authentic pasta, particularly its famous Carbonara made without cream. ETERNA is a long-established specialty bag shop offering a curated selection of women’s casual, contemporary, and vintage handbags. the boxlatte is a long-standing shop offering a diverse collection of imported accessories and general goods from Asia, Europe, and beyond. Micmo is a vintage clothing store chain offering a wide variety of affordable casual wear and accessories for men and women. Komeda’s Coffee is a popular cafe chain known for
its relaxing, retro ambiance, generous sandwiches, and its signature Shiro-Noir dessert. Micmo is a vintage clothing store chain offering a wide variety of affordable casual wear and accessories for men and women. B.C STOCK is an outlet store offering discounted apparel and accessories from popular Japanese select brands like Journal Standard and IENA. JOINT WORKS is the brand’s first men’s-only flagship store, offering select domestic and international brands alongside exclusive collaborations. Flamingo offers a curated selection of American vintage clothing, antique goods, and original remake items sourced directly from the US. FLIPPER’S is a specialty cafe famous for its “Miracle Pancakes,” a type of Japanese soufflé pancake renowned for its exceptionally fluffy texture. Little Trip to Heaven is a vintage boutique offering European and American apparel from the 1950s-70s, specializing in dresses and accessories. DESERTSNOW 2 is a vintage store with a vast inventory focused on American casual, outdoor brands, and military surplus items. STEPAHEAD 3 offers high-quality men’s vintage clothing, focusing on 90s American casual, outdoor brands, and street fashion. Florida is a vintage store offering American, European, and Japanese apparel
with a unique, open-air courtyard-themed interior. THE THRIFT TOKYO is a vintage clothing store focusing on American casual and street styles, particularly from the 90s and 2000s. BIG TIME is a well-known vintage shop featuring a large, curated selection of high-quality American and European apparel for men and women. meadow by FLAMINGO is a women’s vintage boutique offering a curated selection of antique-style apparel and accessories. DESERTSNOW is a major vintage store offering a vast selection of American casual wear for men, women, and children. a.k.a.C.a.k.a vintage is a select
shop offering high-quality American and European vintage clothing. Village Vanguard Diner is an American retro-style eatery specializing in premium gourmet hamburgers made with high-quality beef and original brioche buns. CORAL REEF is a select shop offering high-quality, Japanese-made apparel and accessories. Bánh mì Bà Ba is a specialty shop reproducing authentic Vietnamese street food, famous for its banh mi sandwiches. PostCoffee Offline Store is a flagship cafe where visitors can taste specialty coffees from its online subscription and receive personalized bean recommendations. Shimokita SABA Shokudo is a Japanese pub and
diner offering an extensive menu dedicated to various mackerel (saba) dishes. CANO66 is a select shop offering one-of-a-kind vintage clothing primarily from the 2000s. Zoff is a major eyewear retailer offering a wide selection of stylish frames and sunglasses at affordable prices, with fast service. BAGEL CAFE 88 is a New York-style bagel shop known for its dense, chewy texture and wide variety of hearty sandwich fillings. WEGO is a popular fashion retailer offering a “Mixed Used Style,” blending its own trendy apparel with a large selection of vintage clothing. MSSD flagship shop is a high-quality vintage store specializing in American apparel and 90s Japanese street-style brands. Starbucks Coffee offers a familiar coffee experience featuring a modern concrete design and terrace seating. Dr.
Martens is an official footwear store offering the brand’s iconic boots, contemporary shoes, sandals, and various accessories. JARMUSCH VENTAGLIO is a curated vintage shop specializing in military apparel, designer archives, and classic American and European styles. marble SUD sells women’s clothing and goods featuring original textiles with whimsical illustrations of plants and animals. Flamingo 2nd is a vintage shop offering a wide, genre-less selection of American clothing from the 1960s to the 1990s. Le Monde is a famous steakhouse from Shinjuku, specializing in high-quality sirloin, rib roast, and fillet steaks served with
a signature sauce. Antique Life Jin is a long-standing general goods shop selling original handmade accessories, Japanese-style items, and various unique antique curios. B-Side Label is a specialty shop offering a huge variety of high-quality, waterproof stickers, featuring unique designs by many different artists. signal is a select shop offering curated American vintage clothing for men and women. Sofitto Shimokitazawa is a women’s select shop offering sophisticated yet relaxed original and curated apparel. ALASKA offers American vintage clothing, reflecting West Coast culture with a focus on 70s styles. Detour a Bleuet is a lifestyle shop offering curated apparel, accessories, stationery, and home goods for everyday enjoyment. Second Street is a major secondhand store offering a wide variety of apparel, bags, shoes, and accessories for men and women. Puchikoshon 2nd specializes in European vintage clothing for women, featuring lovely items like dresses and blouses in a charming atmosphere. Tully’s Coffee offers specialty coffee, espresso drinks, and light food items, originating from the popular Seattle-based chain. Furugiya JAM is a vintage clothing retailer featuring a huge inventory of American and European items
for men and women. T-Four is a select shop offering original and curated domestic and international brands for men and women. BAZZSTORE purchases used apparel and sells a wide selection of secondhand clothing from many affordable and designer brands. Tamai-ya Main Store is a long-established shop specializing in handmade senbei rice crackers, offering a wide variety of traditional Japanese snacks. Street Churros specializes in freshly fried churros, offering a popular Korean street food experience with various coatings and dipping options. TARTE & LOVE CAFE offers delicious handmade tarts featuring seasonal
fruits and coffee in a stylish setting. DIVA is a vintage clothing boutique featuring lovely women’s dresses, accessories, and unique items. Oreryu Shio Ramen serves its signature “my style” salt ramen, featuring rich broth and various toppings to customize your flavor experience. Mos Burger offers Japanese-style hamburgers, including its famous rice burgers, focusing on fresh ingredients and made-to-order preparation. JARMUSCH is a curated vintage shop specializing in high-quality military apparel, designer archives. AULD LANG SUN specializes in high-quality American vintage clothing, featuring carefully selected workwear, military items, and traditional Ivy
League styles. Planet of Curry is a popular curry restaurant known for its creative and unique spice-based dishes, often featuring daily specials. Cotton Takano is a long-established fabric store offering a wide variety of textiles and women’s clothing. Dontaku is an izakaya offering authentic Kyushu regional cuisine, including specialties like motsunabe hotpot, alongside a selection of sake and shochu. reload is a distinctive commercial complex with independent shops like cafes, boutiques, and galleries housed in separate buildings along a walkway. Propaganda is a late-night bistro cafe offering creative Italian cuisine
focusing on carefully selected ingredients and cooking methods. Tanaka Tanaka is a lively Japanese pub (izakaya) offering a wide variety of affordable dishes like yakitori and stew, popular for casual drinking. Zakoya is a bustling izakaya famous for its delicious and reasonably priced fresh fish dishes and lively ambiance. A Sign Bar offers an authentic Okinawan experience with Awamori, local food, and frequent live performances. Cheepao Maratan serves authentic Mala Tang, a Szechuan soup where you select fresh ingredients and customize the spicy broth flavor. Good Time Bar is a
friendly neighborhood spot known for its soul music selection and relaxed atmosphere. Toribaka is a izakaya specializing in various chicken dishes, especially popular for its delicious oden. Gleeful is a vintage store featuring high-quality American and European apparel. Ozeki is a popular supermarket favored by locals, offering a wide variety of fresh groceries. YAZAWA offers premium Kuroge Wagyu beef for Japanese BBQ. Village Vanguard is a popular variety store known for its eclectic selection of books, unique miscellaneous goods, music, and pop culture merchandise. Honda Theater is a
renowned playhouse central to Shimokitazawa’s vibrant theater scene, showcasing many contemporary Japanese productions. Shin Taipei offers authentic Taiwanese food specialties, capturing the vibrant atmosphere of a local eatery. Zoff is a modern eyewear retailer offering stylish glasses, sunglasses, and fast service at affordable prices. Pizzeria 8 serves authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a wood-fired oven, featuring high-quality ingredients. Tamatoya offers traditional savory pancakes, Monjayaki, prepared in the famous Tsukishima style right at your table. Meat Brothers is a casual standing bar where you can enjoy American street food, featuring craft
beer and tacos. Red Ribbon is a beloved local stand serving classic Japanese-style crepes with simple, fresh ingredients. Mikan is a complex beneath the train tracks, featuring diverse restaurants, shops, shared workspaces, and community event areas. Thank you for watching the video to the end.

This video continues our walking tour of Shimokitazawa, focusing on the vibrant North Side. This area is the epicenter of Tokyo’s alternative and youth culture, packed with vintage shops, record stores, and independent cafes.

We designed this guide to help first-time visitors understand the area’s layout and avoid wasting valuable travel time. As we explore, we will display Google Maps QR codes on screen for key locations. You can scan these codes to save places directly to your phone for your own adventure.

If you are looking to experience a different side of Tokyo—one defined by indie music, unique fashion, and a relaxed, local atmosphere—this tour will show you exactly where to go.

If you missed Part 1 covering the South Side, you can find it here:

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:26 Shimo-kitazawa Station
0:57 Shimokita Senrogai Open Space
1:34 Sarutahiko Coffee
2:06 3COINS
2:23 KALDI COFFEE FARM
2:38 DYLAN
3:05 Micmo 2
3:17 Momenya Makino
3:29 PanconTomate
3:44 ETERNA
4:09 the boxlatte
4:25 MICMO 3
4:48 Komeda’s Coffee
5:39 Micmo 4
6:03 B.C STOCK
6:28 JOINT WORKS
6:47 Flamingo
7:03 Flipper’s
7:27 Little Trip to Heaven
7:54 DESERTSNOW 2
8:14 STEPAHEAD 3
9:00 Florida
9:22 THE THRIFT TOKYO
10:12 BIG TIME
11:34 meadow by FLAMINGO
11:54 DESERTSNOW
12:22 a.k.a.C.a.k.a vintage
13:08 Village Vanguard Diner
13:53 CORAL REEF
14:16 Bánh mì Bà Ba
15:11 PostCoffee
15:38 Shimokita Saba Shokudo
15:52 CANO66
16:19 Zoff
16:38 Bagelcafe88
17:02 WEGO Shimokitazawa
18:16 MSSD flagship shop
18:40 Starbucks Coffee
19:05 Dr. Martens
19:22 JARMUSCH VENTAGLIO
19:41 Marble Sud
20:03 2nd Flamingo
20:23 Le monde
20:55 Antique Life Jin
21:23 B-Side Label
21:42 signal
21:52 Soffitto
22:08 ALASKA
22:32 Détour à Bleuet
23:16 LiFESiZE add9
23:54 2nd Street
24:14 puchikoshon 2nd
24:37 Tully’s Coffee
25:04 Furugiya JAM
25:17 T-Four
26:56 BAZZSTORE
28:21 Tamaiya Honten
28:51 Street Churros
29:41 TARTE & LOVE CAFE
30:09 DIVA
30:28 Oreryū Shio Ramen
30:54 The Sun Goes Down
31:04 Mos Burger
31:28 JARMUSCH
32:00 AULD LANG SUN
33:18 Planet of Curry (Curry no Wakusei)
33:49 Cotton Takano
34:11 Kyushu Cuisine and Delicious Sake Dontaku
35:05 reload
36:26 Propaganda
37:28 Nomidokoro Tanaka
38:01 Zako-ya Izakaya
38:25 A Sign Bar
38:48 Cheepao Maratan
39:21 Good Time Bar
39:45 Toribaka
40:17 Gleeful
40:35 Ōzeki
41:01 Yazawa
41:30 Village Vanguard
42:39 Honda Theatre
42:58 Shin Taipei
43:13 Zoff
43:52 Pizzeria 8
44:09 Tsukishima Monja Tamatoya
44:38 Meat Brothers
45:00 Akai Crepe-ya Red Ribbon
45:10 Mikan Shimokita

Thumbnail images were created using Midjourney and Canva.
The music used in this video is licensed by MotionElements.

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